Confused

[Scared_sweet_girl]

Hi Dr. HHH,

I am just rather confused on this testing process and was hoping you could help me out.. In the months of June/July I had a couple encounters of unprotected sex with a guy I knew, however, I don't know his HIV status.  I was tested at 10 weeks and it came back negative and will be going in for my 13 week test.. However the health educator advised me that my test was not conclusive until 6 months past exposure.  Is this correct? I am a total wreck now because I have been stressing out this whole time thinking I have HIV due to some symptoms.  And I know that symptoms don't mean anything.. I read the CDC guidelines and if I read them right they say that testing at 3+ months is 97% accurate.. Can you please help me get myself together, I am rather scared here. I am rather scared as you can tell..

[Rob73!]

SSG, I would put the mortgage on your 3 month test coming back as neg. I was in exactly the same situation at the 3 month point. And mine came back NEG.

Don't stress it it will be cool!

[excel1234]

I know exactly how you feel scaredsweetgirl. Let me tell you this. I never really paid attention to std's and hiv. I said to myself, i am straight, don't do drugs, don't sleep with hookers, use condoms at all times, yet all of sudden because of the mtv's and stupid websites, i started to go crazy and think i had it. By luck i fell on this site, which has a caring and reputable doctor answering questions in a clear and scientific manner. If you like, go through the archives and see what some people have written. It will give you a better idea on the real risks. Rob is also right. 10 weeks is plenty based on what I have read numerous times on this site. When it comes back negative, you will realize the anxiety was for nothing, but as I said, I suffer from anxiety so I know how it works, and know it plays tricks on the mind. You don't lose anything making an appointment and seeking a counselor. try it. It can help. Don't worry :)

[Scared_sweet_girl]

You guys are wonderful... so you really do think my test will stay negative.. oh god I hope so!!! I know it was a stupid thing to do and it will never happen again.. I feel like such a dork being so paranoid over this.. it has really consumed my life.. I have a hard time working and focusing on things..

[shygirl1981]

if you had a negative result at 10 weeks you are in the clear, you don't have hiv!! the only reason your health provider said that was to cover his own butt. apparently they don't want people testing at 4-10 weeks, and then running around declaring that they are hiv negative. It's still conclusive, but I think the 3 months is just a general guideline, but you are fine.  do you have contact with this guy anymore? is there any reason you suspect him to have put you at risk? even so, 10 weeks is plenty. you don't even need to test again, just stay safe and be wise in who you choose for a partner.

[Scared_sweet_girl]

Yes, I still talk with him as we were friends before all of this.. it just sort of happened a few times.. I will never again of unprotected sex.

[sparkeler]

You say your test was negative, but your still experiencing *sympotms*.  Hun, if your *symptoms* were due to hiv, your test would have been positive.  You can't have symptoms of hiv and have a negative test.  Your 99.9999999999% hiv negative.